Coronavirus

A lot of students are concerned about the upcoming exams given the current corona situation. We understand this very well and are doing everything we can to support them.

Our goal is to find out about the diverse interests, wishes and interdependencies by regularly exchanging information with the student representatives and the departments and to jointly develop the best possible solutions to come close to doing justice to everyone's interests. The result is a balancing of needs and objectives.

In the present corona-related situation, we bear a special responsibility for the health of our students and our employees. Mainz University of Applied Sciences has developed a strict hygiene concept for this purpose. The fact that this has been and is still being successfully implemented is due in no small part to the disciplined compliance with all requirements by all university staff and students.

With regard to the current examination phase, we have critically examined all options so as to accommodate the important aspects for all students in their different study phases and from the different disciplines. Where possible, online types of exams have been implemented. At times, however, classroom exams are the only suitable form of exam possible.

Our goal is to ensure that students who can and wish to do so are able to successfully complete examinations scheduled for the winter semester. Our measures are designed to provide flexibility, planning reliability and a high degree of safety for the current examination period at the same time.

• Since January 8, 2021, non-attendance of classroom exams has been considered a withdrawal, for which the student is not responsible for providing a reason. This means that each student can decide for themselves, in view of their personal environment and their risk assessment, whether or not they will take the exam.
• The departments are asked to ensure that every academic assessment component from the winter semester can also be taken in the coming summer semester.
• Further, we have ensured that the current winter semester is not counted towards the standard period of study.
• The university has developed an appropriate hygiene concept for the entire examination process.

We wish you much success and all the best!

In general, operating mode "RED" will likely remain in place until January 31. This means that classroom teaching will not take place until further notice. However, in contrast to the previous situation, it is once again possible to check out books from the library on campus, since we are using a system there that does not rely on the presence of staff. Our corona service instruction and FAQs will be revised and promptly posted accordingly.

Given the current pandemic situation, we have agreed to conduct examinations in online platforms, especially open book examinations or oral examinations via videoconference, in addition to classroom examinations, if possible. Purely online exams with mandatory video cameras for exam proctoring are not possible on the grounds of data protection. However, this is permitted for oral examinations that are conducted online.

Conventional classroom examinations are generally permitted. However, we ask you to check whether online forms can be used instead from the examiner's point of view.

The scheduled classroom examinations will take place starting on January 18; this applies in particular to subjects in which open book examinations and oral examinations are not possible. For classroom examinations, the protective measures specified in the university's hygiene concept apply (distance, mask at your workplace, etc.).

To continue to meet the special challenges of the corona pandemic, contrary to past practices, non-attendance of classroom examinations in winter semester 2020/21 will be considered a withdrawal, and students will not be held responsible for giving a reason. This will also address the situation where students are unable to provide proof of contact with an infected person despite known contact due to the lack of functional contact tracing by the public health authorities.

All the best for the new year!

In keeping with current advisories and resolutions from the federal government, the university will be closed from Dec. 16, 2020 until (presumably) Jan. 10, 2021. This means the current operating mode is RED, which has the following consequences:

• Classes will only be held online starting Dec. 16, 2020.

• There will be no classroom exams from Dec. 16, 2020 to Jan. 16, 2021 . For any exams that were scheduled as classroom exams during this period, the departments will inform the students of the new arrangements.

• As long as RED operating mode is in effect, the university will be closed to the general public.

• The university library will also be closed from Dec. 16, 2020, to Jan. 10, 2021. The loan periods of all previously checked out items will be automatically extended to Feb. 1, 2021. Textbook collections cannot be automatically renewed; these can be renewed by users themselves through their user account.

RED operating mode is currently in effect until January 10, 2021.

Operating mode

Depending on how the coronavirus situation evolves, the university adopts a specific operating mode using a traffic light system. You can find more information about this on the Intranet.

Please note that due to the switch to ORANGE operating mode, the the business hours of the central service units, such as the library, may change. 

For more information, please see the websites of the respective service units.

On October 28, 2020, the German government adopted drastic measures to contain the corona pandemic. For Mainz University of Applied Sciences, protecting everyone's health is a top priority, which is why we also want to make a significant contribution to halting the spread of the virus. The university will switch to ORANGE mode on Monday, November 2, 2020. This is currently in effect until November 30, 2020.

Please note the following regulations, which will be in effect in ORANGE mode from November 2 to 30, 2020:

• During this period, working from home will be the standard situation. Exceptions solely apply to tasks that can only be performed on-site (for example, to maintain operation-critical functions)
• All offices will only be used by one person at a time.
• Please always wear masks anywhere you are not alone. This also applies to meetings and classroom teaching.
• Classroom teaching can only be approved if it cannot be replaced by an online format (especially for practical exercises). Attendance must therefore be essential and portray a clear added value to the online alternative for the students.
• The approval of classroom teaching is the responsibility of the deans. If you have any questions, please contact the deans directly.
• The libraries, workshops and student workrooms will remain open for the time being, in strict compliance with the German AHA-L rules (keep a distance, observe hygiene measures, wear a mask and air out rooms).
• Business trips will only be permitted for urgent reasons.
• Field trips are no longer possible, with immediate effect.

The corresponding service agreement will subsequently be provided.

FAQ
Answers to frequently asked questions can be found under http://hs-mz.de/corona.

Operating mode
Depending on how the corona infection evolves, the university adopts a specific operating state using a traffic light system. You can find more information about this on the intranet.

In the upcoming winter semester, our principle is to have as much classroom teaching as possible. In particular, we would like to give first and second semester and international students the opportunity to attend (some) classroom lectures.

At the same time, protecting everyone’s health is always the top priority. It is clear that this puts us in an area of potential conflict.

We are focusing on a scenario that necessitates strict adherence to safety regulations (wearing a face mask in all walkways, keeping a safe distance and recording contacts in compliance with data protection regulations). In doing so, each and every one of us assumes responsibility for protecting ourselves and others. You can find all relevant information on this subject on the Intranet:

• Official instructions issued September 18, 2020 on the Corona Safety Concept
• Overview diagram of the instructions issued September 18, 2020
• Comparison of Corona Directives 10 and 11

The university has adopted a specific operating mode using a traffic light system to designate the status based on developments in the corona infection situation:

• University closure: RED = the status of the university in March of this year
• Basic operations: ORANGE = teaching in small groups / on-site classes always require previous approval
• Limited on-site operations: YELLOW = hybrid teaching forms / teaching in small groups, simplified approval process
• Regular operations: GREEN = operations with no restrictions whatsoever

Starting today, September 21, 2020, we are moving to operating status YELLOW.

Students have the opportunity to book a workplace or a room for group work using the Terminland booking tool.

The booking is valid for the entire day (8 am - 4 pm). You can use the work station or room as you wish during this period.

When you have booked a work station or room, you will receive a confirmation email. Please show this email in printed or electronic form at the reception desk when you arrive at the university.

Since June 16th, German and foreign students who are in an emergency situation as a result of the Corona pandemic can apply for interim financial aid.
Applications for this interim financial aid from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) are submitted using a standardized online tool accessible nationwide:
www.ueberbrueckungshilfe-studierende.de (available in English)

More information on the interim financial aid:

• Online portal: www.ueberbrueckungshilfe-studierende.de
• BMBF interim financial aid hotline: call 0800 26 23 003
• Federal Ministry of Education and Research: "Wissenswertes zur Überbrückungshilfe für Studierende" (currently only available in German)
• Deutsches Studentenwerk: English FAQs
• Studierendenwerk Mainz: „Bridging assistance for students in pandemic-related emergency situations“

The start of lectures for first-year students and students in later semesters in the winter semester 2020/2021 is now set.

The dates vary depending on the department and degree program. In addition, some first-year students start at different times than students in later semesters.
You can find an overview of the different dates here.

An overview of the application deadlines and periods for the winter semester 2020/2021 can be found on the website under "Bewerbung".

German and foreign students who are in financial difficulties as a result of the Corona pandemic can apply for a student loan from the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW).
More information:

• Press release of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) of 04/30/2020: „Karliczek: Wir unterstützen Studierende in Not“ (currently only available in German)
• BMBF: Wissenswertes zur Überbrückungshilfe für Studierende (currently only available in German)
  
• Information from the KfW on Student Loans (available in English)
  

Starting Monday, 04/27, masks will also be mandatory in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate when using public transportation and in stores. What does this mean for the university?

At the university, the recommendation to wear masks still applies – especially for time spent in the library, which has been reopened to a limited extent since Tuesday, April 21st.

In addition to masks purchased in stores, you can also use a fabric mask you have sewn yourself or a scarf or bandana to cover your nose and mouth.